About rise in the city
rise in the city is a unique art event, featuring a competition, exhibit and auction, created to catalyze social enterprises in Africa. You can view the incredible works of art that have been created and are now up for auction here
A unique event where influencers in design and construction discover how architecture combined with social enterprise can solve poverty problems in Africa. Learn More
How it works
NYC is being split into 100 virtual blocks. Leading artists, designers and architects are invited to create a work of art representing a block of the city. 100 companies have the opportunity to sponsor a NYC block.
All these incredible artworks will be exhibited and available for purchase through an exclusive auction at rise in the city.
A high profile jury will shortlist the 10 best pieces and the overall winner will be announced at the event.
100% of proceeds will go directly to the project because BOND Events underwrites rise’s operating expenses.
By getting involved with rise in the city, either by creating a work of art, sponsoring one of the city blocks or event packages or attending, you will help give the people of Lesotho the opportunity to better their lives for themselves.
Who you help
rise is working towards a world where sustainable social enterprises, created by local entrepreneurs are the norm. Through our professional network, rise links social entrepreneurs from low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa to fundamental resources that they would otherwise not have access to, in order to fulfill their potential.
The first rise project, will follow the in loco “hands-on, bottom-up” approach, to deliver a new building with accommodation, study and service facilities for the children at a very overcrowded orphanage in Lesotho, Southern Africa. Learn more.
This combined with entrepreneurship training and mentoring, will enable the orphanage to provide enough accommodation for the children and to become more self-sustaining by launching income-generating activities.
True to the rise ethos, the local community will be instrumental through this process, with the support and expertise of industry experts.
rise is a not-for-profit organization, co-founded by BOND Events as an integral part of its Corporate Social Responsibility Program.
Michael Sorkin is an architect and urbanist. He is President of Terreform, a non-profit dedicated to urban research and intervention and publisher of UR Books, the Principal of Michael Sorkin Studio, an international design practice, and Distinguished Professor of Architecture and Director of the Graduate Program in Urban Design at the City College of New York. He is the architecture critic for The Nation, contributing editor at Architectural Record, and author or editor of twenty books. Sorkin is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, the recipient of the 2013 Cooper-Hewitt National Design Mind Award, and is a 2015 Guggenheim Fellow.
Laura Starr, a landscape architect, has emerged as a local champion for sustainability, collaboration, and design excellence with over 25 years’ experience working in the New York City area. As Chief of Design for the Central Park Conservancy, Lisa worked intensively to forge consensus among diverse groups of stakeholders, renovating major destinations such as Harlem Meer, the West Side, and the Great Lawn. Today, Lisa is seen as a leader in the field of sustainable landscape design and a strong advocate for a city that is greener and more responsive to the needs of a twenty-first century public.
Jack Travis established his namesake design studio in 1985 and has completed several projects for such notable clients as Spike Lee, Wesley Snipes and John Saunders. Jack received his “Fellowship” in the AIA, and in 2006 was inducted into the Council of Elders” of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), the highest honor that each organization bestows upon its individual members. Jack is currently an adjunct professor of interior design at The School of Visual Arts, New York School of Interior Design, Pratt Institute and at the Fashion Institute of Technology and has been published in over 100 articles.
Suzanne Mecs is Managing Director of AIA New York. She collaborates with architects to expand member value, community engagement, and professional development. Since 2008, she has been working with the exceptional architects who are actively pursuing elevation to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows. Suzanne is a graduate of Harvard University, Chair of the First Presbyterian Church Nursery School Board (which follows the progressive Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education), and an avid knitter.
Oliver Needs founded BOND Events in 2004 and provides global leadership to the company. Oliver left the world’s largest trade show organizer, Blenheim Group Plc, to set up McLean Publishing and launch the first business forum in Asia; ASPEC. He went on to found Cornhill Events, a subsidiary of SPG Media PLC. There, he conceived and launched many successful forum events including LEAF and The European Banking Forum, EMBF. Inventor of an online matching application for event attendees, Oliver continues to oversee its use at BOND Events and Atticus, the operator of HI-Design events.
